Monday, October 25, 2010

Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for children, but sometimes the most hectic for parents. Nearly 94 percent of children between the ages of four and twelve participate in Halloween activities each year, so the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) understand parents and children have concerns when planning for Halloween activities.

Parents need to take a moment to consider basic safety precautions that will help make Halloween and "Trick or Treating" a safer night of fun:

* CHOOSE bright, flame-retardant costumes or add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags so children are easily seen in the dark. In addition, carry a glow stick or flashlight.

* PLAN a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets. Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods, streets that are isolated, or homes that are poorly lit inside or outside.

* NEVER send young children out alone. They should always be accompanied by a parent or another trusted adult. Older children should always travel in groups.

* ALWAYS walk younger children to the door to receive treats and don't let children enter a home unless you are with them.

* BE SURE children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.

* DISCUSS basic pedestrian safety rules that children should use when walking to and from houses.

* CONSIDER organizing a home or community party as an alternative to "trick-or-treating."

* MAKE sure children know their home phone number and address in case you get separated. Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.

* TEACH children to say "NO!" or "this is not my mother/father" in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. And teach them that they should make every effort to get away by kicking, screaming and resisting.

* REMIND children to remain alert and report suspicious incidents to parents and/or law enforcement.

Child safety is vital year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay extra attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down. To help parents be prepared year round, the Oregon State Police – Missing Children Clearinghouse (OSP MCC) provides ID Complete Child Identification and DNA kits in case your child ever becomes missing. The free kits are available in English and Spanish.

To obtain a child ID Complete kit from the Oregon State Police - Missing Children Clearinghouse, call (503) 934-0188 or outside Salem at 1-800-282-7155, or e-mail child.idkits@state.or.us . Please provide your name, address, number of kits needed and a call back phone number when making a request.

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About the National Center for Missing & Exploited ChildrenThe National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since it was established by Congress in 1984, the organization has operated the toll-free 24-hour national missing children's hotline which has handled more than 2,475,300 calls. It has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 151,300 children. The organization's CyberTipline has handled more than 957,760 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 39,334,670 pornography images and videos. The organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. To learn more about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit its web site at www.missingkids.com .

SEATTLE—The National Weather Service is projecting La Nina weather conditions this year, with attendant wet weather and above average lowland snow events. Here in the Pacific Northwest, flood season traditionally runs early November to early March—and this year may be a real wet one. According to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, National Flood Insurance offers the only comprehensive safety net against flood losses.

“Our first fall storm has already soaked roads and saturated soils throughout much of the Pacific Northwest, and floods are by far our leading cause of disaster-driven property loss,” said Murphy. “The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) pays off whether or not there is a Presidential disaster declaration. But there is a thirty-day waiting period before the coverage takes effect, so do not wait until waters rise.”

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies are available to communities that agree to adopt and enforce sound floodplain management practices, and according to Murphy, virtually every community in the northwest qualifies. “By aggressively managing their floodplains, local officials can guarantee access to affordable coverage, and that’s important,” said Murphy. “If you already have flood insurance, keep it current—now is a good time to review your policy to make sure it meets your current needs. If you don’t have flood insurance, now is the time to reconsider your financial exposure.”

Flood insurance covers structural damage and contents for all insurable residential and non-residential buildings. Policies can be purchased from any licensed insurance agent or broker. Maximum coverage for single-family homes is $250,000 for the structure itself, and $100,000 for contents. Renters can also insure their personal belongings for up to $100,000. Businesses can insure buildings for up to $500,000 for the structure, and contents for up to $500,000.

For more information about the NFIP visit http://www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-4661.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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About Me

I am the Public Affairs Coordinator and Public Information Officer (PIO) during disasters for Oregon Emergency Management. My mission is to promote disaster preparedness and ensure that the public can get timely, accurate information during a disaster in the state of Oregon.
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Oregon Emergency Management

OEM is responsible for coordinating and facilitating emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery activities with State of Oregon agencies, local emergency agencies, and emergency organizations.